roof rack ideas for solar install

[J.Spicoli]

Bought some Yakima racks for the rain gutters on my E-250 for the solar since it was cheap and easy but I'm having second thoughts before installing. I want something that looks the cargo van part for stealth and is as low profile as possible.

Came across these from VanTech.

Any thoughts on these or suggestions for any others? I'm just mounting 3-100W Renogy panels to them and possibly an awning down the road (not sure how or where that mounts yet).


Thanks

 

[Bbasso]

I did something similar with Thule racks instead, it's hardly pretty but for my two 100 watt renogy solar panels it's working very well and hasn't fallen off yet. I recently added a pair of tilting brackets which raised it up higher than I'd like but overall it works fine.

 

[_hein_]

We produce some VHB based peel and stick plastic pads with threaded inserts that work with Renogy Z-brackets.

 

[JBoles]

J.Spicoli,
I have a version of those VanTech racks on my E350 and they are stout and come tracks in the cross bars for mounting. Mine are the super tall ones for a raised roof but either way I don't think the vantech racks will be more lower profile than Yakima. They will look the cargo van part.

I also have had Yakima racks on several of my vehicles and they are bomber. I feel they are more versatile when it comes to mounting options, etc. The VanTech racks have to be removed each time you want to install carriage bolts in the rails. Not that crucial for mounting solar since it's typically mounted permanently. You'll likely have better success mounting an awning to the VanTech racks than Yakima.

Good luck.

Justin

Bought some Yakima racks for the rain gutters on my E-250 for the solar since it was cheap and easy but I'm having second thoughts before installing. I want something that looks the cargo van part for stealth and is as low profile as possible.

Came across these from VanTech.

Any thoughts on these or suggestions for any others? I'm just mounting 3-100W Renogy panels to them and possibly an awning down the road (not sure how or where that mounts yet).


Thanks

 

[J.Spicoli]

We produce some VHB based peel and stick plastic pads with threaded inserts that work with Renogy Z-brackets.

Oh man, those look nice. Super simple and low profile too. My concern is the tape adhesive but it sounds like its made for this type of stuff. Adding to my short list...

 

[J.Spicoli]

J.Spicoli,
I have a version of those VanTech racks on my E350 and they are stout and come tracks in the cross bars for mounting. Mine are the super tall ones for a raised roof but either way I don't think the vantech racks will be more lower profile than Yakima. They will look the cargo van part.

I also have had Yakima racks on several of my vehicles and they are bomber. I feel they are more versatile when it comes to mounting options, etc. The VanTech racks have to be removed each time you want to install carriage bolts in the rails. Not that crucial for mounting solar since it's typically mounted permanently. You'll likely have better success mounting an awning to the VanTech racks than Yakima.

Good luck.

Justin

Good to hear about the Vantech. Thanks for the insight. I'm going to be doing an awning sooner than later as well and didn't know how they mount. Thanks for bringing it up since it sounds like I should plan for the solar and awning together. Can the Fiama awning be mounted to the raingutters? If so would the Yakima or Vantech impede that or is it a mute point because you just mount directly to the racks?

 

[Joe917]

3m 5200 will bond solar brackets to the roof without need for any other fasteners.